The Lifetime QTIP Trust
Estate planning for couples in a second or subsequent marriage can be tricky, especially if their estates are disproportionate. One solution that allows the more affluent spouse to maintain control of their property and wealth and minimize potential estate taxes—while keeping their spouse happy—is the lifetime qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust.
Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Your Spouse
Once you are married, you will be uniquely situated to provide meaningful support for your spouse after your passing through special estate planning tools available only to legally married individuals.
Are You Saving Enough for Retirement?
Retirement is supposed to be a carefree period of enjoyment and fulfillment. However, retirement has become a daunting prospect for many Americans, full of anxiety and financial uncertainty. Longer lives […]
Could a Domestic Asset Protection Trust Be the Right Trust for You?
There are more ways to create wealth today than ever before. Whether you are working a traditional nine-to-five job and investing in the stock market, a full-time investor taking advantage […]
Remember Your First Line of Defense: Insurance
The modern insurance market dates to seventeenth-century London, where merchants reeling from the Great Fire of London started pooling funds to cover fire losses. Today, this same basic concept—pooling risk […]
It’s Planning Season
To have a successful farm, thoughtful planning must be done every season. Your life is no different. To properly prepare for the next season in your life and the lives of your loved ones, you need a well-executed estate plan.
Three Estate Planning Mistakes Farmers and Ranchers Make—and How to Avoid Them
Farming and ranching is more than just a livelihood; it is about preserving a legacy and a way of life. Unfortunately, many farmers and ranchers fail to create a comprehensive estate plan—or any estate plan at all. Without a proper estate plan, the family farm or ranch, passed down for generations, can end up being sold and converted to nonagricultural use, cutting the family’s legacy short and ending their unique lifestyle. Included are three common estate planning mistakes farmers and ranchers make and how to avoid them.
5 Reasons Uncle Bill May Not Make a Good Trustee
If you have created a trust that you intend to last for decades, choosing the right trustee is critical to ensuring the trust’s longevity and ultimate success.
How an Inheritance Can Enhance Your Loved One’s Educational Experience
Higher levels of education are positively correlated with better life outcomes, including improved health, longer lifespans, and higher incomes.[1] However, education costs across all levels have risen significantly, pushing a good education out of reach for many families and saddling students with debt that can take decades to pay off. From primary school to postgraduate studies, you can invest in a loved one’s education and maximize their potential through your estate plan.
Ways to Keep a Loved One’s Memory Alive After They Pass
When somebody close to us passes away, we are left with constant reminders of them. There are many ways to turn memories into mementos and honor a beloved friend’s or family member’s passing. These tributes can also be a creative and strategic way to use estate assets. Planning ahead provides your loved ones with more flexibility in using your money and property for dedications and memorials. A well-thought-out plan can even set aside money for such purposes.
